This Day in Baseball History
December 21st

The Red Sox trade hurler Ernie Shore and Dutch Leonard as well as outfielder Duffy Lewis to the Yankees for relatively unknown players and $15,000. The group includes Frank Gilhooley, Slim Love, Ray Caldwell, and Roxy Walters.

1959

After Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh rejects the A's offer to deal Roger Maris for shortstop Dick Groat, Pittsburgh obtains Gino Cimoli along with Tom Cheney from the Cardinals for right-hander Ron Kline. Maris, who is dealt to the Yankees, will enjoy the first of his two consecutive MVP years in New York, but Groat will play a key role for the World Champion Bucs next season, and he also will be named the most valuable player of his league.

1960

Cub owner P.K. Wrigley announces the club will not have a manager next season, but will instead use a college of coaches. The 'faculty' for the upcoming campaign will include El Tappe, Charlie Grimm, Goldie Holt, Bobby Adams, Harry Craft, Verlon Walker, Ripper Collins and Vedie Himsl, with each serving as "head coach" for part of the season.

1978

Sports cartoonist Willard Mullin, creator of the lovable caricature known as the 'Brooklyn Bum', dies in Corpus Christi at the age of 76. The cartoon featured a low-brow, working class character who would proudly represent the borough of Brooklyn, quickly becoming a favorite of the Dodger fans.

1995

David Cone, after considering an attractive offer from the Orioles, re-signs with the Yankees as a free agent, inking a three-year deal worth $19.5 million. The 32 year-old 'hired hand' starts the season 4-1 along with a 2.02 ERA, before being diagnosed with an aneurysm in his right arm, resulting in being placed on the disabled list for the majority of the season.

1995

The Orioles sign Toronto free-agent Roberto Alomar to a three-year $18 million contract. The second baseman will be selected as an all star all three seasons he is with the team, and the 27-year old infielder will also win two Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger award during his stay in Baltimore.

2000

Hoping to pick it up where his success started, 41 year-old outfielder Tim Raines agrees to a minor league contract with the Expos, the team he broke in with in 1979. After retiring in Yankee camp during spring training with a .295 career batting average, he failed to make this year's U.S. Olympic team.

2002

After declining their club option, the Diamondbacks decide to retain veteran first baseman Mark Grace (.252, 7, 48). The lifetime .305 hitter agrees to a one-year deal which includes a club option for the 2004 season.

2005

With the announcement Oakland will no longer sell tickets for the third deck of McAfee Coliseum, the A’s home becomes the smallest park in the major leagues. The seating capacity, reduced from 44,073 to 34,179, is less than Fenway Park, which has been recently increased to accommodate 38,805 denizens of Red Sox Nation.

2005

After trying to sign the all-star outfielder twice as a free agent, the Giants finally acquire Steve Finley (.222, 12, 54) in a trade with the Dodgers which sends third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo (.277, 2, 43) to Los Angeles. The veteran infielder appeared in only 109 games last season due to injuries.

2007

In an effort to replace LaTroy Hawkins's role in the bullpen, the Rockies sign free-agent Luis Vizcaino (8-2, 4.30) to a $7.5 million, two-year deal. The 33-year old right-hander, who pitched for the Yankees last season, will be used as a middle-inning reliever by the National League champs.

2007

Josh Hamilton (.292, 19, 47) is traded by the Reds to the Rangers for pitchers Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera. The 26-year old outfielder, who became a fan favorite due to his overcoming a history of substance abuse, played in 90 games for Cincinnati and was named the National League Rookie of the Month for April.

2009

Although he left Turner Sports three weeks ago under a storm of criticism, Chip Caray says he has been hired to be the Braves play-by-play announcer on Fox Sports South and SportsSouth. The 44-year-old broadcaster, son of the late Atlanta broadcaster Skip Caray and grandson of fabled Harry Caray, is replacing ESPN-bound Jon Sciambi, and is expected to call approximately 105 games next season.

2009

The Yankees are assessed with a luxury tax of $25.69 million for its spending in 2009. The World Series champion club is the only team to be penalized this year for crossing the salary threshold, as it has in all seven years since the tax was initiated by the collective bargaining agreement in 2002.

2010

The Red Sox and Bobby Jenks agree to a two-year, $12 million deal bringing the former White Sox closer to Boston as a set-up man for Jonathan Papelbon. The two-time All-Star reliever, who did not pitch after saving both ends of a doubleheader against his new team in early September, saved 27 games for Chicago, but lost his job at the end of the season when he struggled because of difficulties with his forearm.